MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

FIJI JUNIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION - 2004

EXAMINER’S REPORT

SOCIAL SCIENCE

Analysing students’ performance has made the following observations.

SECTION A MAP READING

(i) Scales – students must know the types of scales and the correct usage e.g. statements must be
expressed in words and not in abbreviated forms. They must also know how to make correct
conversions when calculating distances.

(ii) Directions - students need to be familiar with the eight point and sixteen point compass.

(iii) Essentials of cross-section :

- it has been noted that most students draw their cross-sections without the essentials
- Title
- Labelling of x and y axis
- Shading
- Marking of the beginning and end of cross section

(iv) Features – features must be drawn in its exact location on the cross section
- Must not be suspended in the air but to be drawn on the cross section line.

Generally, there is a great need for students to learn the map reading skills and master them well when it
comes to examination time. They also need to answer the general questions well with the correct usage of
language e.g. schools and hospitals are not services and we expect students to write educational and
medical services.

SECTION B SOCIAL SCIENCE

The Multiple Choice section for all the questions were fairly answered, however, students have shown
that they lack understanding of the concepts and terms. For ‘bulubulu’ and ‘panchayat’ most of them
defined the terms but could not give an example of what they were talking about. When it comes to
application questions it was very hard for some students to answer this as they have limited knowledge of
the terms and concepts. Students can be taught to write proper paragraphs so that they do not throw their
ideas anyhow. A suggested method would be : (i) Read the question. (ii) Identify how many
questions there are. (iii) Answer the questions as they appears.

Students should be logical in their answer.

SECTION C GEOGRAPHY OF FIJI

QUESTION 1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND LAND USE

Mapping
Students need to read the questions before answering. For e.g. question number (iii) this type of island –
most students wrote Kadavu instead of volcanic island and Taveuni for type of farming. It must be
understood that farming type should be identified as the answer and not the crops that are being
farmed/planted. For the paragraph question, students need to know the difference between cultural and
physical needs of any farming system and the problems that affect the particular farming system
 2.

QUESTION 2 POPULATION AND URBANISATION

Mapping
When it comes to mapping students need to be precise and accurate about locations and identifying
marked features on the map. For e.g. question (iv) many students wrote Sigatoka instead of Sigatoka
Valley or Salad Bowl of Fiji. Sigatoka alone may mean the town, river, sand dunes etc.

QUESTION 3 INDUSTRIES, TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

Mapping
Once again this is one area that will need a lot of practice. Students must be thorough with their
knowledge of ports, industries etc.

SECTION C LOCAL AREA SURVEY

The multiple-choice questions were answered well. Some students still lack knowledge when it comes to
drawing sketch maps. It was evident that some students were using pens instead of pencils to draw.
Some sketches were without titles. Students were only required to draw four features but some have
drawn more than that. It was also evident that students did not know what they were drawing as some of
them put the boundary in the middle of the frame. Keys that were drawn did not match what was being
drawn. Symbols were drawn without labels. The space provided in the answer book had been numbered
according to the questions asked. This was done to make things easier for students but still many of them
put their answers anyhow. All they need to do is follow the numbering. Some students failed to express
themselves well in the last paragraph. They had the idea but it did not come out well.

SECTION D HISTORY OF FIJI

Out of the three questions that were given. Question 2 was the most popular choice. Many students who
attempted this question did well. However, Question 1 and Question 3 were poorly done. Students failed
to recall dates and events, which took place during the time of the Fijian Administration. They even
lacked knowledge on positions that were established at that time and a very important council which was
the Great Council of Chiefs. Students need to be updated with the information about the GCC and its
importance. They need to know the Parliamentary structure and the various roles of the House of
Representatives and the Speaker, likewise the Senate. Terms and concepts need to be well understood by
students.

SECTION D CURRENT AFFAIRS

Students need to read widely to help them answer the Current Affairs question. Understanding of various
terms and concepts is very important in their learning. They need to keep abreast with what is happening
around them. They need to look at local issues affecting the world in general. For the United Nations
question, students need to know the difference between United Nations Organisations and Regional
Agencies and their respective functions. They need to familiarize themselves with the work of the UN in
Fiji and the Pacific. The UN deals with issues affecting human beings and the environment, which
students need to have knowledge of.

THE END